Ex-BART officer Mehserle sentenced to two years in prison for fatal shooting of unarmed man

There are 1470 comments on the
latimesblogs.latimes.com
story from Nov 5, 2010, titled Ex-BART officer Mehserle sentenced to two years in prison for fatal shooting of unarmed man.
In it, latimesblogs.latimes.com reports that:

A former transit police officer convicted of involuntary manslaughter for fatally shooting an unarmed man on an Oakland train station platform was sentenced by a Los Angeles judge Friday to two years in prison.

Hopefully people will keep their cool and realize that no amount of outrage, violence, trashing business, looting or rioting will bring Oscar Grant back. It will only hurt Oakland and make people look disfavorably on the people of Oakland.

We don't really know for sure what went through Mehserle's mind the instant he pulled the gun instead of the Taser. He has to live with what he did no matter how much time he serves. A longer sentence will not change or fix anything--it would just be revenge and that's not what justice is supposed to be about.

Hopefully people will keep their cool and realize that no amount of outrage, violence, trashing business, looting or rioting will bring Oscar Grant back. It will only hurt Oakland and make people look disfavorably on the people of Oakland.We don't really know for sure what went through Mehserle's mind the instant he pulled the gun instead of the Taser. He has to live with what he did no matter how much time he serves. A longer sentence will not change or fix anything--it would just be revenge and that's not what justice is supposed to be about.

"A longer sentence will not change or fix anything--it would just be revenge and that's not what justice is supposed to be about."

Really, a "2 years sentence" for taking a life is NOT Justice period! I wonder how the judge or a jury member would feel if this had happen to a family member...How would you feel? It's not justice period.

The family of the man who was shot deserves a settlement for several million dollars. The Oakland Subway Police Department failed to properly train this police officer

Now, let's talk about the criminal side of things...

Although this police officer and his department were negligent and caused the death of this man, there was no CRIMINAL intent to intentionally kill this man. He was poorly trained and in a panic. He intended to reach for his "tazer" and grabbed his gun instead.

I am not saying he should have not been allowed to carry a tazer, but if he had never been issued a tazer, would he have shot this man? NO

This was not a murder. This was a very unfortunate accident. He was given two years to keep the Black community from rioting.

If I had just heard of this story today, I would be astounded to learn that a man who kills a mostly defenseless man right in front of him could get as little as a two-year sentence.

On the contrary, Wild Irish Rose, a longer sentence would help -- killing a person comes with consequences, and yet two-year sentence just makes killing seem inconsequential. It's a poor precedent for future similar incidents.

The family of the man who was shot deserves a settlement for several million dollars. The Oakland Subway Police Department failed to properly train this police officerNow, let's talk about the criminal side of things...Although this police officer and his department were negligent and caused the death of this man, there was no CRIMINAL intent to intentionally kill this man. He was poorly trained and in a panic. He intended to reach for his "tazer" and grabbed his gun instead.I am not saying he should have not been allowed to carry a tazer, but if he had never been issued a tazer, would he have shot this man? NOThis was not a murder. This was a very unfortunate accident. He was given two years to keep the Black community from rioting.Now we have created a second victim

That was the best post i have read all week. I give a few smart alek replys and a few pieces of advice. But this hit the nail on the head. Thanks.

The family of the man who was shot deserves a settlement for several million dollars. The Oakland Subway Police Department failed to properly train this police officerNow, let's talk about the criminal side of things...Although this police officer and his department were negligent and caused the death of this man, there was no CRIMINAL intent to intentionally kill this man. He was poorly trained and in a panic. He intended to reach for his "tazer" and grabbed his gun instead.I am not saying he should have not been allowed to carry a tazer, but if he had never been issued a tazer, would he have shot this man? NOThis was not a murder. This was a very unfortunate accident. He was given two years to keep the Black community from rioting.Now we have created a second victim

Please do not hold the "Black community" responsible for the riots in Oakland. It was a multiracial crowd, including many out-of-town radical types, taking out their anger on buildings and businesses unrelated to the killing. And it was despicable.

And please do not describe the two-year sentence as some kind of appeasement to the "Black community," just to keep them from rioting. The sentence is punishment for Mehserle, and weak punishment at that.

This is total BS they already convicted him of manslaughter that was a slap in the face to the Grant family then they want to give him 2 years with credit to time already served so he will be out in a few months or less. How are we expected to respect the law when the people who enforce the law give each other breaks he shot that man in cold blood he how can a trained police officer not tell the difference between a loaded gun and a bright yellow taser gun! Get out of here and close the door and go out the back door

I don't know about anyone else, but If I accidentally killed or cause harm to someone... the one thing that would not be in question is how remorseful I am. This cat has played the victim throughout this journey (and noted, with the support of many, including the media "bay-area KTVU Rita Williams" gave him air time). At least he should have maned up and sincerely express his remorsefulness, if indeed he is.

This is total BS they already convicted him of manslaughter that was a slap in the face to the Grant family then they want to give him 2 years with credit to time already served so he will be out in a few months or less. How are we expected to respect the law when the people who enforce the law give each other breaks he shot that man in cold blood he how can a trained police officer not tell the difference between a loaded gun and a bright yellow taser gun! Get out of here and close the door and go out the back door

They should lock his ass up and throw away the key-but as usual,they let the police off with a slap on the wrist. This happens EVERYWHERE,and to all races and it is bullshit.

The family of the man who was shot deserves a settlement for several million dollars. The Oakland Subway Police Department failed to properly train this police officerNow, let's talk about the criminal side of things...Although this police officer and his department were negligent and caused the death of this man, there was no CRIMINAL intent to intentionally kill this man. He was poorly trained and in a panic. He intended to reach for his "tazer" and grabbed his gun instead.I am not saying he should have not been allowed to carry a tazer, but if he had never been issued a tazer, would he have shot this man? NOThis was not a murder. This was a very unfortunate accident. He was given two years to keep the Black community from rioting.Now we have created a second victim

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